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If you’re curious about the best fly, cruise, fly tour to Milford Sound you’ve come to the right place.
As a Queenstown local and someone who has visited Milford Sound many times in every possible way I’ll give my honest review of this tour to Milford Sound and if it’s worth the hype. Below I cover what I loved about it, what I wasn’t a huge fan of, and a couple other things you should know before booking.
So keep reading to see if the fly, cruise, fly tour is right for you!
What Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly Tour did I do?
I chose this tour to Milford Sound because it’s the highest-rated fly, cruise, fly experience and is also the only one that provides pick up and drop off from hotels in Queenstown. Now that’s what I call first-class service.
I knew that if I was going to spend the money to fly to Milford Sound for a cruise, I wanted to take the best of the best. My expectations were sky high (wink, wink) and spoiler alert, it delivered in every possible way. From start to finish, it was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had of Milford Sound and I’ve had many since living in Queenstown.
There are two start times of 9:30 am and 12 pm. I liked that they had later start times, so I could have a relaxed morning before a day of adventure.
It’s a breathtaking flight over the mountains to Milford Sound, followed by one of the best cruises through it, and then another equally spectacular flight back. Even after we landed, it took another couple of days for me to come down from the experience! It was non-stop beauty the entire way.
Book the same fly-cruise-fly tour to Milford Sound I took here!
What I loved about this tour
The incredible sights
It goes without saying that flying over the snow capped peaks of the deep Southern Alps is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Honestly, pictures don’t do justice to just how rugged and beautiful this part of New Zealand is until you see it in person.
If that isn’t enough, the cruise through Milford Sound is packed with glacial waterfalls, wildlife, and a type of lush nature that you only ever see in the movies. Well, until you cruise through Milford Sound that is!
One of the other things I loved that this tour did is that the flight back took a different path, which meant everyone aboard was wowed with even more spectacular views!
Informative pilots and friendly staff
There’s a balance on tours between informative commentary from guides and someone talking your ear off and you don’t want the latter when you’re seeing one of the best views in the world. Our pilot, Andrew, was incredibly friendly and great at telling interesting facts about the landscape and then just letting us sit and take it all in.
All of the other staff I encountered through the day continued this trend and provided top notch service. It was clear everything was very well organized and the crew loved their job as much as I loved being there!
Small group tour
This tour has a maximum of 13 people, but when I took it, there were only six of us including myself. Many of the other fly, cruise, fly tours to Milford Sound accommodate big groups and you lose that personal touch. When you’re taking an experience like this, small group tours are the way to go.
Makes visiting Milford Sound easy
Besides incredible views all day, this tour makes visiting Milford Sound a breeze. You can fit it into a busy itinerary and if you take the early option, you’ll be back at your hotel before 3 pm. Honestly, there is zero hassle all day long!
Otherwise, a trip to the Milford Sound is an all-day event and exhausting to boot. Not to mention you spend a lot of time sitting on the long drive to and from, so it can take a toll.
Free cancellation and flexible payment options
I always give a big gold star to tours that offer free cancelation because it means you can book your spot and if you change your mind or something comes up, it’s no big deal. So when I booked this tour ahead of time online, that was something I looked for.
It means if you’re planning your trip in advance, you can get your tickets now and not worry about it selling out. Plus, you can choose to pay later and not have to pay until a couple of days before the tour.
I also have a special discount code on Milford Sound tours, including this flight. Check out my blog on securing this Milford Sound tour discount here for all the information!
Amazing reviews
There’s a reason this tour has 900+ perfect 5-star reviews. Pretty much everything about it is perfect! Everything I have said above about this tour other people have said as well and I bet you will too. When I first started considering doing a fly, cruise, fly to Milford Sound all of the positive things people said about this one is what sold me.
Here are a couple of reviews from other travelers who took this tour:
“This trip was amazing! Fly in and out of Milford Sound, have never seen anything more spectacular! Our pilot Andrew was super knowledgeable and gave us a great running commentary about the areas we flew over. The boat trip on Milford Sound was incredible! If you are tossing up between bus in or fly in as we were, I’m so glad we decided to fly. It was as AH-mazing!!!!”
“The tour was very well organized and viewing Milford Sound both in the air and via a cruise is the must do. You get to see two very different viewpoints of this beautiful area of NZ. The pilot and all of the tour operators were friendly, knowledgeable and very capable. The tour was smoothly organized and we had a great time.”
Ready to book? Guarantee your spot on this bucket list tour to Milford Sound here!
How long did I fly and cruise?
From pick up to drop off, the whole experience takes about 4.5-5 hours in total. The flight to Milford Sound from Queenstown and the flight back are both roughly 40 minutes each. The cruise is the standard 2 hours and takes you the full length of the fjord.
Related Read: If you’d like to stay longer and see this place without any crowds, read my review of the Milford Sound overnight cruise. It was on my bucket list for a long time!
What I didn’t like about this tour
Flights can be cancelled due to poor weather
Keep in mind that this tour can and will be canceled due to bad weather. If it is, you can either get a full refund or do it on a different day. That being said, if you only have one day in Queenstown, be ready to have to pocket this experience for a different time.
Chances of it being canceled due to bad weather go up drastically during the shoulder and winter seasons between mid-May to late September. If you’re planning on traveling to Queenstown during these months and don’t want to risk this happening, standard bus tours run each day regardless of weather. If you’re curious these are my recommended alternatives and check out my blog on the best time to visit Milford Sound!
Miss the stops on the road to Milford Sound
While the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is long, there are undoubtedly some incredible things to stop and see along the way. Lakes, waterfalls, and gorgeous mountain passes to name a few. Prettier than flying over the Southern Alps? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder as they say, so it depends on the person.
Would I do this Fly Cruise Fly tour to Milford Sound again?
Yes, I absolutely would!
Not only is it arguably the best way to experience Milford Sound, but it’s up there as one of the coolest experiences I have ever done in the world and for sure one of the best in all of New Zealand.
Everything about this fly-cruise-fly tour is what you would come to expect from a 5-star experience and I think anyone considering doing it should go for it.
It’s perfect for those who want to see the prettiest place on earth from an unbeatable perspective or those who just want a quick and easy way to get there and back. Either way, you can’t go wrong!
Related Read: Milford is epic, but I also have some beautiful places on my list of the best places to go sightseeing in Queenstown!
Must-Do Activities While in Queenstown
Once you’re back in Queenstown after exploring Milford Sound, there are plenty of other activities that will keep you busy. Honestly, there are so many things to do in Queenstown, that it’ll be hard to choose! Below are some of my favorites:
- Take a cruise – Aboard the TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise you’re in for a scenic and relaxing cruise in Queenstown that’s great for any afternoon. This is one of the last coal-fired steamships in the world and you get to watch the crew add coal to the flames to power the vessel as you take in mountain ranges and lush green valleys. You can also upgrade this tour here to include dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Watch a sunset – As the day draws to a close in Queenstown, make sure to head to the shores of Lake Wakatipu to watch a sunset. It’s one of the best viewpoints to watch the sun sink behind the Southern Alps. I like watching from Queenstown Beach or Perky’s Floating Bar where you get a view of the lake and delicious food and drinks too!
- Go canyoning – Climb and jump off waterfalls, rappel, swim, and trek as part of this Queenstown Canyoning Adventure with a qualified guide. This thrilling full-day activity is perfect for those who love adventure and exploration! As long as you aren’t afraid of heights and have a basic swimming ability you won’t need any other skills.
- Wine tasting – This Central Otago Wine Tour and Tasting is my personal favorite wine tour in Queenstown! It is one of the best values for money as for $239 NZD your tour bus will stop at 4 different boutique wineries in the Otago region that include a wide range of wine samples and a provided gourmet lunch platter. As you hop between wineries, you’ll gaze out the window at spectacular views.
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Finding the right place to stay in Queenstown can be hard. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of awesome choices, but things book up fast! For that reason, I highly suggest booking your accommodation well in advance.
Honestly, during peak times, any of the best hotels in Queenstown will be fully booked several weeks in advance…you have been warned! To help you plan ahead, here are a few places I personally love and that would make an awesome place to stay in Queenstown.
Kamana Lakehouse – $$$
For a luxurious stay, I highly recommend Kamana Lakehouse. This hotel is located just on the outskirts of town. Although it’s super peaceful, it’s just a 5-minute drive into the center of town. The place overlooks both the lake and the mountains, and the onsite restaurant uses local, seasonal ingredients to create the freshest meals. To top it off, many of the rooms boast lake views, and some even have outdoor baths!
The trick will be snagging this for your dates (it’s a popular place!). Rooms start around the $400 NZD mark, and you can check availability and book online here.
La Quinta Queenstown – $$
If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, then you should seriously consider La Quinta Queenstown. This beautiful hotel is right by the airport but still very quiet. Plus, the views are amazing (although you won’t find me recommending a place without great views!). The rooms are all studio or one-bedroom apartments, which is really handy if you want to cook or even just have breakfast in your room.
Prices start at $200 NZD and you can book online here.
Absoloot Hostel Queenstown – $
My top choice for budget travelers is the Absoloot Hostel Queenstown. This small hostel has dorm rooms and budget private rooms, and it’s really clean and comfortable. The location is in the heart of Queenstown – the window from the kitchen looks out over Lake Wakatipu!
Dorms are around $55 NZD, and private rooms begin around $210 NZD. The Absoloot Hostel is easily one of the top cheap hostels in Queenstown and can be booked on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
If you choose this fly-cruise-fly tour, I guarantee you’re in for an incredible adventure. Every time I see Milford Sound, it takes my breath away. This place just doesn’t seem real!
For more info on visiting, my other blogs about Milford Sound will be helpful. I also live and travel throughout the country, so check out all my blogs on New Zealand here.
Milford Sound Nature Cruise Review – Is it Worth it?
One Week Queenstown Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days in Queenstown